Germany’s preparedness for crisis scenarios is dangerously inadequate, according to Heyo Kroemer, CEO of the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Recent power outages in the capital have starkly highlighted a critical vulnerability within the nation’s healthcare system: the absence of a robust, actionable strategy for emergency response.
Speaking to “Welt” television, Kroemer emphasized that the Berlin incident isn’t an isolated case, but indicative of a systemic flaw prevalent across the country. He contrasted Germany’s reactive approach with the proactive “Health Security” strategies employed in nations like Scandinavia, Israel and the United States. These strategies involve forward-thinking planning, routinely conducted drills and resilient infrastructure designed to sustain healthcare operations during periods of acute stress.
“Health security” Kroemer explained, encompasses the functional integrity of the healthcare system under duress – a concept for which Germany lacks a defined framework. While other countries have established resource allocation, skill development and operational capacity mechanisms to safeguard their healthcare systems against external shocks, Germany remains significantly behind.
The Charité CEO stressed the importance of enhanced public and medical personnel preparedness. A functional Health Security strategy isn’t solely a matter for institutions; it requires public awareness and citizen understanding of appropriate responses during emergencies. Equally crucial is ensuring the availability and readiness of healthcare professionals, providing them with the support and resources needed to maintain patient care even under extreme conditions. “The population – including the medical workforce – must be equipped to navigate crisis situations and maintain essential services while attending to the broader community” he stated.
Beyond simply assigning responsibilities and establishing structural resilience, Kroemer underscored the need for predictive planning and regular drills. He argued that Germany must treat potential large-scale disasters as anticipated realities, conducting simulations to prepare for contingencies and clarify roles and responsibilities. “Other nations assign specific tasks to hospitals in crisis situations, tasks that are rigorously practiced beforehand” Kroemer noted. “It’s fundamentally unfeasible to develop and execute a crisis response plan “during” an emergency if it hasn’t been tested and refined previously”. The current lack of such proactive measures leaves Germany dangerously exposed to a wide range of potential threats, raising serious questions about the government’s commitment to national health security and the potential ramifications for the population.
